The Third International Pacific Theatre Festival concluded in Vladivostok.
From September 20 to October 6, 2024, the Third International Pacific Theatre Festival was held in Vladivostok as part of the state Program for the Development of Theatre Arts in the Far East. The creative and educational programs reflected the diversity of cultural and theatrical traditions and aimed to strengthen international cultural and humanitarian cooperation. The program included 11 performances of various genres, created by theater professionals from 10 countries: Argentina, Armenia, Belarus, Brazil, Germany, India, Canada, China, Russia, and Japan. Chinese companies occupied a special place in the program, as 2024–2025 have been declared the Cross Years of Culture between Russia and China. Particular attention was paid to Vladivostok's status as the "youth capital of Russia." The program included several productions aimed primarily at a younger audience.
Unexplored facets of world theater: a sculptural visualization of a thousand-year-old landscape painting masterpiece, a Chinese take on a French classic, wild samurai from the Land of the Rising Sun, Argentine tango in the air, Indian stand-up comedy, the Russian-Canadian-German crossover experiment "Reverse," a Brazilian drama, a modern take on the medieval legend of the extraction of the "Stone of Foolishness" in a joint Belarusian-Russian project, the 2024 premiere of the Theatre of Nations—the play "Friends" directed by a Japanese director, a puppet show voiced by a star-studded cast, and a concert performance performed by Yevgeny Mironov and Marina Alexandrova—all this and much more was seen by over 23,000 residents and visitors of Primorye.
Approximately 2,000 people participated in the Educational Program, which included lectures and master classes by Russian and international directors, courses in vocals, fencing, and acting, as well as meetings between festival participants and organizers and audience members. A highlight was the premiere of the student production of "Balaganchik," based on Alexander Blok's play, staged at the Laboratory of Hakob Kazanchyan, chief director of the Yerevan State Musical Comedy Theater named after A. Paronyan and Chairman of the Union of Theater Workers of Armenia. A meeting with Anatoly Vasiliev, a director known worldwide, whose plays "The Young Man's Adult Daughter" and "Serso" opened new doors for audiences in Russian theater arts, was also a highlight.
The 4th International Pacific Theater Festival is planned to be held in the capital of Primorye in 2026.
ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
The International Pacific Theatre Festival is a significant part and the central event of the state Program for the Development of Theatre Arts in the Far East, initiated by the State Theatre of Nations, headed by its artistic director, People's Artist of Russia Yevgeny Mironov. The idea of this large-scale project was supported by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation entrusted the preparation of the program and the holding of the Festival to the A.P. Chekhov International Theatre Festival, which has extensive experience in organizing and staging major international theatrical events. Over its thirty-two years of existence, the Chekhov Festival has presented over 600 performances from 54 countries in Moscow and other Russian cities. The creative program concept for the Pacific Festival in Vladivostok was developed by Valery Shadrin. The Director of the International Pacific Theatre Festival and General Director of the A.P. Chekhov International Theatre Festival is Karina Tsaturova.
The goal of the International Pacific Theatre Festival is to introduce audiences in the Far East to the best productions from the Pacific Rim and other countries around the world. The Festival program reflects the diversity of cultural and theatrical traditions and aims to strengthen international cultural and humanitarian cooperation. In addition to performances, an open Educational Program is organized for city residents, including creative meetings, lectures, and discussions of the performances.
The Festival is held in Vladivostok with the support of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation and the Government of Primorsky Krai.
Festival Organizers: The A.P. Chekhov International Theatre Festival with the participation of the State Theatre of Nations.
General Partner: Channel One.
Sponsor: VTB Bank.
Regional Media Partner: OTV-Prim TV Channel.
Ticket Partner: kassy.ru.
Educational Program Partners: Far Eastern State Institute of Arts, Pushkin Theatre of the Far Eastern Federal University, and the Federal Center for Humanitarian Practices.
Information support: Russia 1. Primorye TV Channel, PrimaMedia news agency, Kultura.RF and Kulturnoe Primorye internet portals, Monte Carlo Radio, [OFF] Magazine, and the Digital Primorye information system.
Partner: Slavda Water